NZ to USA trophy transport cost?

Africanoobie · Sep 13, 2026

Hi all - toying with the idea of doing a red stag hunt in NZ in 2027. Curious what I’d be looking at for shipping a shoulder mount or dip/pack to NY. Just shot a gemsbok, kudu and impala in SA so I need to be conscious of total cost to determine if I can afford it. Thanks for any input.

Paulrhenderson · Sep 13, 2026

Africanoobie said:
Hi all - toying with the idea of doing a red stag hunt in NZ in 2027. Curious what I’d be looking at for shipping a shoulder mount or dip/pack to NY. Just shot a gemsbok, kudu and impala in SA so I need to be conscious of total cost to determine if I can afford it. Thanks for any input.

I went with my son in 2025 and had them shipped late that year. The outfitter suggested we do the taxidermy in the states since shipping is so high.

We had two Chamois, one Tahr, one 11 point free range stag and a 400+” inch tag plus the skins. It was just under $3k as I recall crated to my house in OK.

We did see a guy that bubble wrapped his massive stag and check it on the plane ride home.

375Fox · Sep 13, 2026

If you could live with sawing the skull and splitting antlers in half, New Zealand is one of few places you can bring back on the plane with you. You can even bring some meat back.

MT53 · Sep 13, 2026

I agree with @375Fox I brought a stag a tahr and chamois skulls back (cleaned and boiled) glass luggage, all three capes as luggage (in a tote) and 50 lbs (the max amount allowed per person) all as checked luggage, I think more outfitters are making an effort to facilitate it, it just takes some planning on your end with some paperwork from the ministry of industry (i think) and the import paperwork. All the capes were soft and wet still but heavily salted and were no trouble at all.
So as far as cost i think it ended up being about $400 for the extra luggage fees.

jstafng · Sep 13, 2026

Went with Gary Herbert in 2025. 2 400+ stag capes cut for shoulder mounts and antlers and one full body cape tahr was 1600 delivered to SFO.

Planning a trip so the eastern cape may 2027 what did your shipping bill cost??

Sabre · Sep 13, 2026

jstafng said:
Went with Gary Herbert in 2025. 2 400+ stag capes cut for shoulder mounts and antlers and one full body cape tahr was 1600 delivered to SFO.

Planning a trip so the eastern cape may 2027 what did your shipping bill cost??

That's a pretty impressive price.

Africanoobie · Sep 14, 2026

jstafng said:
Went with Gary Herbert in 2025. 2 400+ stag capes cut for shoulder mounts and antlers and one full body cape tahr was 1600 delivered to SFO.

Planning a trip so the eastern cape may 2027 what did your shipping bill cost??

Thanks for the info. I don’t know yet, they’re still at the taxi in SA.

Africanoobie · Sep 14, 2026

MT53 said:
I agree with @375Fox I brought a stag a tahr and chamois skulls back (cleaned and boiled) glass luggage, all three capes as luggage (in a tote) and 50 lbs (the max amount allowed per person) all as checked luggage, I think more outfitters are making an effort to facilitate it, it just takes some planning on your end with some paperwork from the ministry of industry (i think) and the import paperwork. All the capes were soft and wet still but heavily salted and were no trouble at all.
So as far as cost i think it ended up being about $400 for the extra luggage fees.

Great to know! I’m going to look into that option.

NZ to USA trophy transport cost?

Africanoobie

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